One of 12 secluded treehouses at Green O, an elevated guesthouse that immerses travelers in nature and quiet solitude.Courtesy of The Green O
There are people who find alone time something to be avoided. And then there are those who get upset at the thought of it. I fall into the latter camp. For example: I recently read an article about how Outside magazine writer Tim Neville spent four days alone in total darkness and isolation… and I felt a pang of jealousy.
Before the pandemic, I was an introvert. But since the world has returned to its frenetic pace, I’ve found that my brain’s usual whispers of calm have become a deafening roar.
That’s what led me to plan a media visit to the Green O in Montana this spring. I’ll be hiding out in The Tree Haus, one of 12 secluded, adults-only homes that share 60 square miles, or 37,000 acres, of forest (about twice the size of Manhattan) with sister property Paws Up Ranch. But with a capacity of fewer than 300 guests between the two properties, each guest could easily have 100 acres to themselves. My friends and family have asked to join me on this getaway. I’ve declined.
Understated luxury began as a buzzword used by the fashion industry to describe expensive designer clothing that wasn’t too conspicuous. But the term has come to refer to expensive getaways that take travelers away from people and the noise that comes with them.
Surveys suggest this is a trend Canadians are going to love. Úna O'Leary, managing director for Canada at luxury travel consultancy Virtuoso, points out that internal research found that Canadians cite “relaxation and disconnection” as the reason they're most interested in travelling this year. Similarly, she says Virtuoso advisors tell her that “serene, wellness-focused luxury travel is on the rise.”
According to Flight Centre Canada, of the 52% of Canadian travellers planning solo trips, 58% plan to focus on reflection and contemplation, while 51% seek self-discovery.
Diana Stobo, founder of The Retreat in Costa Rica, isn't surprised by the growing interest in this style of travel. The enclave has offered The art of resting Since 2021, a five-day minimum getaway has been offered to people struggling with sleep disorders, anxiety and burnout, which is as much about choosing what you won't do as it is about selecting what is available (breathwork, yoga and head massage for example). The goal, she says, is to offer a comfortable space for people who aspire to do as little as possible.
The Retreat in Costa Rica offers programs lasting five days or more that help clients recover from burnout and anxiety.Courtesy of The Retreat
“A lot of us just can’t let go. We need to change that mentality,” she says, adding that people often feel guilty when they’re not productive. Her program encourages “slow vacations,” where clients are supported in their decision to be still, quiet, or alone instead of rushing from one activity to the next.
“We have to start giving ourselves permission to do it, because if we wait for someone else to do it, it won’t happen as quickly,” Stobo says, adding that rest activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate, and aids digestion. “It’s amazing how the body responds.”
Steve Hurst, general manager of Paws Up and Green O, agrees, noting that even guided experiences can be booked privately and that supporting (rather than directing) the guest is at the heart of the property’s approach.
“If you come here to work on the first chapter of this book, we’ll deliver coffee and pastries every morning and make sure you have the right cocktail when you hit your low point,” he says. “If you want to go out and walk in the forest without your shoes on, we can show you where the softest area is.”
The quiet luxury comes at a price. My Tree Haus is a two-story home elevated 23 feet in the air. The floor-to-ceiling windows and 1,000 square feet of indoor living space are meant to make me feel like I’m “floating in the clouds.” And my dining options include dishes prepared by James Beard Award-nominated chef Brandon Cunningham. Nightly rates start at $2,290 (about $3,155) for two adults—a price that might send some would-be travelers reeling. But hosts here, and at similar properties, say the spaces are worth the quiet price. (Rates at the other properties mentioned range from about $400 to $800 per night.)
Baptiste Caulonque, CEO of Pegasus Lodges, explains that their collection of six luxury lodges caters to a very specific type of traveler. Located in Indonesia, Oceania, Portugal and British Columbia, they offer a selection of high-end villa-style accommodations. Still, he estimates that about two-thirds of his guests come alone for the peace and quiet and to be where there are more wildlife than people. “For us, the ultimate luxury is space. And space has always been built into our offerings,” Caulonque explains.
Brian Gage agrees. He owns and operates Pegasus’ Nootka Wilderness Lodge, a floating fishing lodge in British Columbia. He’s seen firsthand the benefits of a quiet vacation. “You really get caught up in the immediate environment around you, which is good because it makes you think about what’s important to you,” he says. “It gives you perspective on your life.”
Perspective, calm, and clarity are what I hope to find in my home in the Montana sky. I also hope to find a way to bring them home.
